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Previous: Section VIII: Security

5-132. Leaders have to decide whether they are going to move aggressively to make contact, or stealthily to avoid contact. Either way, leaders have to anticipate enemy contact throughout. If possible, leaders should avoid routes with obvious danger areas such as built-up areas, roads, trails, and known enemy positions. If these places cannot be avoided, risk management should be conducted to develop ways to reduce danger to the unit. If stealth is desired, the route should avoid contact with local inhabitants, built-up areas, and natural lines of drift.

5-133. Movement techniques help the leader manage the amount of security his unit has during movement. Traveling is the least secure and used when contact is unlikely. Traveling overwatch is used when contact is likely but not imminent. Bounding overwatch is used when contact is imminent. The leader establishes the PLD to indicate where the transition from traveling overwatch to bounding overwatch should occur. When in contact with the enemy, the unit transitions from movement to maneuver (fire and movement) while the leader conducts actions on contact. (See figure 5-19.)

Next: 5-134: Terrain

Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad